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1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, Ps. 42:1-4
The Psalmist cries out for God. We get the sense of the grief as he yearns for the presence and pleasure of God. We don’t know what brought on this distance but we do know that there was a time when he use to go with the House of God with the multitudes. He remembers the pleasure of God’s presence, the joy of corporate worship and the peace of God that filled his heart. But something has happened and nothing can satisfy his soul but God. It is like a panting dear for the cool stream, his tears fill his bed and his anguish is more than he can take. I wonder how many of us have that kind of passion for God. How long can we go without those satisfying times of God’s presence. I think far to often people don’t cry out for the missed presence of God but simply learn to live with it. I see this at times when people come to church after being away for an extended period and I will see them weep during service, and I know they are being reacquainted with the presence of God. Oh the joy of living in the presence of God. There is no greater joy and nothing that can satisfy our soul than being in his presence. He beckons us to come and walk with him today.
Pastor Rick
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Judges 6,7; Psalm 52; I Corinthian 14
"Let love be your highest goal, but also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives, especially the gift of prophecy." I Cor. 14:1
Over and over again, in Paul’s writings, he takes us back to what is primary to successful Kingdom living—love! In this portion of scripture, one that deals with Spirit-filled living, Paul starts by establishing a plumb line and that is “let LOVE be your highest goal…” This reminds us of other portions the Apostle has penned regarding love. “If I could speak all the languages of the earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clashing cymbal.” (I Corinthians 13:1 NLT) “Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity” (Col. 3:14 NASB) “Love is patient. Love is kind. Love isn't jealous. It doesn't sing its own praises. It isn't arrogant.” (I Corinthians 13:4) Paul continues to herald this pressing principle because he recognizes that LOVE is the central truth that holds the church together. Where there is love, there will be unity, cooperation, hope and teamwork. So much more is accomplished when we are working together in love. Paul goes on to instruct the Corinthians regarding love and spiritual abilities. He wants them to experience the power and joy of speaking in tongues but also that there are more benefits to the body of Christ when the gift of prophecy is exercised, again, all of these gifts operate most efficiently when rooted in love. Basically, he is saying, everything operates better when love is the highest goal. May this portion of scripture today encourage you to operate with love as your highest goal. I pray that God’s love fills you to overflowing and that you will operate in the spiritual gifts that are available to you through the promises in the Word of God.
In Him,
Carol Danna
Next Reading: Judges 8; Psalm 42; I Corinthians 15
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Jud. 4,5 Ps. 39,41; 1 Cor 13
Ps 39:4
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
David’s cry in the Psalm is the same as Paul’s understanding in 1 Cor 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. They both say we need to understand that our existence on this planet amounts to nothing. It does not matter what I accomplish in the flesh unless I have the love of God in me. This is all about love, Jesus said “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." We are always asking should I do this, should I say that, How should I act with this person or that? The truth is we already have the answer. Let our actions and words reflect the love of the living God. Well how do I make sure I am doing that, I ask? Well it is explained to me in detail in 1 Cor.13. The truth is I already know what to do. I am just looking for a justified way out of giving up my needs or wants for someone else. I need to come to the place in my life where I not only pray the prayer but, believe and do this simple prayer “never the less Father thy will be done”.
May this be the week, the Sunday that I (we) give up my (our) will to His will and let His love rein and flow through me (us). So that (as Jesus said) “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
May the Lord bless you and keep you this week, in and with His love.
Pastor Jack
Next reading: Judg. 6, 7; Ps. 52; 1 Cor 14
"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.
David’s cry in the Psalm is the same as Paul’s understanding in 1 Cor 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. They both say we need to understand that our existence on this planet amounts to nothing. It does not matter what I accomplish in the flesh unless I have the love of God in me. This is all about love, Jesus said “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." We are always asking should I do this, should I say that, How should I act with this person or that? The truth is we already have the answer. Let our actions and words reflect the love of the living God. Well how do I make sure I am doing that, I ask? Well it is explained to me in detail in 1 Cor.13. The truth is I already know what to do. I am just looking for a justified way out of giving up my needs or wants for someone else. I need to come to the place in my life where I not only pray the prayer but, believe and do this simple prayer “never the less Father thy will be done”.
May this be the week, the Sunday that I (we) give up my (our) will to His will and let His love rein and flow through me (us). So that (as Jesus said) “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
May the Lord bless you and keep you this week, in and with His love.
Pastor Jack
Next reading: Judg. 6, 7; Ps. 52; 1 Cor 14
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Judges 1-3; 1 Cor. 12
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 1 Cor. 12:4-6
All followers of Christ have been given gifts for the body of Christ the church. The challenge of the pastor is the same challenge that Paul had with the Corinthian church and that is to convince people three things. One you have been given a spiritual gift. You might not know what it is yet but it is your responsibility to find out. You discover your spiritual gift by serving the church family. It is in the service itself that your gift rise to the top and are discovered by yourself and God. Second of all we all need to realize that our gift is extremely valuable otherwise God would not have given it to us. Every task in the body is important and we need them all. Saying that the church doesn’t need you is like saying your body doesn’t need your liver. Your liver might not be very visible and when it is functioning properly it goes unnoticed but without it the body dies. You might think well the body of Christ won’t die with out me. That is true but it also won’t function properly without you either. Thirdly we all need to recognize that we need the gifts and ministry of the other parts of the body. Isolated parts of the body die. Remove a finger from the hand and it dies. Connectivity is essential for survival and it is especially true spiritually. I believe this is more than attending church once a week. It takes being a part of the church, were you are fully engaged in the life of the Church and are both a giver and a receiver. That is why small groups are so important and getting involved in a ministry is a must. You are needed and you need the church family. The more who get this the more healthy the church and the individual lives connected to her.
God Bless,
Pastor Rick
All followers of Christ have been given gifts for the body of Christ the church. The challenge of the pastor is the same challenge that Paul had with the Corinthian church and that is to convince people three things. One you have been given a spiritual gift. You might not know what it is yet but it is your responsibility to find out. You discover your spiritual gift by serving the church family. It is in the service itself that your gift rise to the top and are discovered by yourself and God. Second of all we all need to realize that our gift is extremely valuable otherwise God would not have given it to us. Every task in the body is important and we need them all. Saying that the church doesn’t need you is like saying your body doesn’t need your liver. Your liver might not be very visible and when it is functioning properly it goes unnoticed but without it the body dies. You might think well the body of Christ won’t die with out me. That is true but it also won’t function properly without you either. Thirdly we all need to recognize that we need the gifts and ministry of the other parts of the body. Isolated parts of the body die. Remove a finger from the hand and it dies. Connectivity is essential for survival and it is especially true spiritually. I believe this is more than attending church once a week. It takes being a part of the church, were you are fully engaged in the life of the Church and are both a giver and a receiver. That is why small groups are so important and getting involved in a ministry is a must. You are needed and you need the church family. The more who get this the more healthy the church and the individual lives connected to her.
God Bless,
Pastor Rick
Friday, March 26, 2010
Joshua 23-24; 1 Corinthians 11
"Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord..." Joshua 23:6-8
These are Joshua's parting words to the people. It's his final farewell to his leaders and it's his heart cry for them and I know it's the Lord's. I too share Joshua's heart for all the people I have led and have had the opportunity to shepherd over the yeas. Joshua knew where the people were weak and what they must do to remain in relationship with one another and God. The first thing Joshua tells the people is to (1) follow the written word. The Scripture tells us faith comes by hearing and reading of the word. The enemy knows that if he can get you out or the word or you become lazy in your devotion to the word it's only a matter of time before your faith in the Lord becomes weak. So Joshua goes on to warn them to stay away from any other gods or nations that will lead you astray. We know the activities that are leading us away from the Lord and the Lord is telling us to flee from those activities and make it you life mission statement to fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Make it a constant reminder who you are and what God you serve. I have the words from Joshua posted in my home in my living room to make such a declaration for me and my family. Joshua 24:15 says "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
So today what is being proclaimed on your walls or from you TV? These words are so powerful for me because I come from a family history who do not serve the Lord and the destruction in our family runs deep with a history of alcoholism, divorce, anger, and despair. Jesus has come to to give life and life to fullest that life is found in serving the Lord. The people made a covenant on the day these words were spoken and I suggest we do the same so let's cry out with the people and say"We will serve the Lord our God and obey him"
serving alongside you,
Joe
These are Joshua's parting words to the people. It's his final farewell to his leaders and it's his heart cry for them and I know it's the Lord's. I too share Joshua's heart for all the people I have led and have had the opportunity to shepherd over the yeas. Joshua knew where the people were weak and what they must do to remain in relationship with one another and God. The first thing Joshua tells the people is to (1) follow the written word. The Scripture tells us faith comes by hearing and reading of the word. The enemy knows that if he can get you out or the word or you become lazy in your devotion to the word it's only a matter of time before your faith in the Lord becomes weak. So Joshua goes on to warn them to stay away from any other gods or nations that will lead you astray. We know the activities that are leading us away from the Lord and the Lord is telling us to flee from those activities and make it you life mission statement to fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Make it a constant reminder who you are and what God you serve. I have the words from Joshua posted in my home in my living room to make such a declaration for me and my family. Joshua 24:15 says "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."
So today what is being proclaimed on your walls or from you TV? These words are so powerful for me because I come from a family history who do not serve the Lord and the destruction in our family runs deep with a history of alcoholism, divorce, anger, and despair. Jesus has come to to give life and life to fullest that life is found in serving the Lord. The people made a covenant on the day these words were spoken and I suggest we do the same so let's cry out with the people and say"We will serve the Lord our God and obey him"
serving alongside you,
Joe
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Joshua 18-19; 1 Cor. 9
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ , that I might win those who are without law; 22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. 1 Cor. 9:19-23
Soul winning is one of the most challenging and rewarding things anyone can do. When you put your heart toward soul winning you place you heart next to the heart of God. God is a passionate soul winner and all who follow after Christ become fishers of men. In this scripture Paul is telling us that to be a soul winner you have to be intentional. He says when I am with the Jews I do what I can not to offend the Jews so I can reach them and when I am with the Gentiles I become like the gentiles so I can win gentiles. In other words I have to enter into the lives of people with the intention of leading them to Christ. I don’t live a compromising life but I am willing to make sacrifices so someone can find salvation. I don’t want to lose track of the call to soul winning. As the founder of our denomination once said, “Soul winning is the only thing, I will lay everything on the alter of God that I might win souls.”
God Bless You,
Pastor Rick
Soul winning is one of the most challenging and rewarding things anyone can do. When you put your heart toward soul winning you place you heart next to the heart of God. God is a passionate soul winner and all who follow after Christ become fishers of men. In this scripture Paul is telling us that to be a soul winner you have to be intentional. He says when I am with the Jews I do what I can not to offend the Jews so I can reach them and when I am with the Gentiles I become like the gentiles so I can win gentiles. In other words I have to enter into the lives of people with the intention of leading them to Christ. I don’t live a compromising life but I am willing to make sacrifices so someone can find salvation. I don’t want to lose track of the call to soul winning. As the founder of our denomination once said, “Soul winning is the only thing, I will lay everything on the alter of God that I might win souls.”
God Bless You,
Pastor Rick
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Joshua 15-17; 1 cor. 8
“But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” 1 Cor. 8:9-13
We live in a day when people boast of their freedoms. Preachers sitting in their professors chairs smoking cigars and drink a beer while teaching the Bible. These self indulged, pride filled proclaimers of Christian liberty, know nothing of Paul’s kind of love. It is my right to my freedoms I hear people say. In the mean time fellow believers are falling because they can’t walk in the same freedom. I recently was talking to a couple who for years have been pretty free about their alcohol consumption, it is their freedom, there is only one problem their twenty something daughter is now an alcoholic. It was free flowing with moderation in their home but their daughter doesn’t have the same kind of freedom and now without the Lords intervention they have years of sorrow ahead of them. I pray for the Lords deliverance for this young woman. We must be lead by love not what simply feels good. I recently heard of a church that was encouraging their small groups to have more alcohol available so they can reach their unsaved friends easier. Well what is next nude hot tubes or medical marijuana parties. You might get more people to come out but they will be far from being disciples. Let’s keep our hearts pure and put our freedoms behind the love of others.
Pastor Rick
We live in a day when people boast of their freedoms. Preachers sitting in their professors chairs smoking cigars and drink a beer while teaching the Bible. These self indulged, pride filled proclaimers of Christian liberty, know nothing of Paul’s kind of love. It is my right to my freedoms I hear people say. In the mean time fellow believers are falling because they can’t walk in the same freedom. I recently was talking to a couple who for years have been pretty free about their alcohol consumption, it is their freedom, there is only one problem their twenty something daughter is now an alcoholic. It was free flowing with moderation in their home but their daughter doesn’t have the same kind of freedom and now without the Lords intervention they have years of sorrow ahead of them. I pray for the Lords deliverance for this young woman. We must be lead by love not what simply feels good. I recently heard of a church that was encouraging their small groups to have more alcohol available so they can reach their unsaved friends easier. Well what is next nude hot tubes or medical marijuana parties. You might get more people to come out but they will be far from being disciples. Let’s keep our hearts pure and put our freedoms behind the love of others.
Pastor Rick
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